Farmers in Ainabkoi sub-county will soon benefit from the potato processing plant, which is nearing completion.
Construction works for the plant have been ongoing for the last two years.
Currently, the contractor for the project is installing cold storage facilities, setting the stage for the processing line.
According to Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim, once operational, the plant will give farmers the capacity to preserve and process their potatoes, minimising post-harvest losses while enhancing market value.
“Through value addition, our farmers will move beyond selling raw produce to earning more from processed products,” the governor said on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
Given that over 75 per cent of the potato production in Uasin Gishu County originates from Ainabkoi, the decision to construct a processing and storage plant in the area is both strategic and critical to mitigating the losses.
Statistics from the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimate that around 1.3 billion tonnes of food intended for human consumption is lost or wasted each year. In Kenya, approximately 19% of potato production is damaged or lost every season.
The Ainabkoi processing plant will feature a cold room and backhouse, specifically designed to support local farmers in preserving the quality of their produce and minimising post-harvest losses.
“Not only will this facility provide a place for proper storage, but it will also serve as a transformation centre where farmers can process their potatoes into value-added products,” Uasin Gishu County officials said at a past visit to the facility.
